Science

State Considers Delaying Water Bond Vote

by Molly Samuel
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July 3, 2012 — 5:49 PM

The state Senate is voting Thursday on whether to remove an $11 billion water bond from the November ballot, and push it back for two years.

November's ballot already includes some big-ticket items, like Governor Jerry Brown's tax measure. So people who do want to see the water bond passed eventually, don't want it to go to voters this year.

"The economy is still relatively weak, the November ballot is very crowded," said Timothy Quinn, the executive director of the Association of California Water Agencies. The bond would provide funds for more than a hundred water supply, environmental restoration and groundwater protection projects.

"It's much better to get it right than to get it fast," Quinn said.

"We would actually like to see the bond repealed," said Jim Metropulos of the Sierra Club. He says the bond is too expensive and it funds the wrong projects.

The bill to delay the water bond requires a two-thirds majority to pass.